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Where to report income from subscriptions to my Substack newsletter

I've been publishing articles on the Substack newsletter platform. Visitors can subscribe to my newsletter for free or paid. I made about $300 from paid subscriptions. Where do I report this income in TurboTax? I don't consider myself as self-employed as I don't write articles for a living.

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Accepted Solutions
DawnC
Expert Alumni

Where to report income from subscriptions to my Substack newsletter

Generally, a hobby is something done more for enjoyment than an intent to earn money.  To enter your hobby income:

 

  • Once in your tax return, click on Federal Taxes tab
  • Choose Wages and Income
  • Scroll down to Less Common Income and click Start to right of Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C
  • Click Start to right of Hobby income and expenses**

If you received a 1099-K for hobby income, click this link.

 

**As a hobby, you are not allowed any deductions from this income for the years 2018-2025.  The IRS doesn't allow you to deduct hobby expenses from hobby income, you must claim all hobby income and are not permitted to reduce that income by any expenses.

 

4 Tax Tips for Money Making Hobbies

 

Tax Tips for Content Creators

 

Keep records if your hobby becomes more of a business than a recreational pursuit.  Business owners typically use Schedule C to report profits and losses and to deduct a broad range of deductions not available to hobbyists. The IRS might consider your hobby a business when any or all of the following apply:

 

  • The things you do to run your hobby-business, like hiring knowledgeable employees and advertising, point to your intent to make a profit.
  • You earn your livelihood from the hobby.
  • You've made a profit for at least three of the past five years.
  • You hope to make a profit from some of your business assets down the road, like animals for breeding.
  • You've made a profit from a similar business in the past.

Because the responsibility is on you to show that your hobby-business is entitled to business tax breaks, keeping detailed records will come in handy in case the IRS asks you to substantiate that you have a business rather than a hobby.

 

 

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

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2 Replies
DawnC
Expert Alumni

Where to report income from subscriptions to my Substack newsletter

Generally, a hobby is something done more for enjoyment than an intent to earn money.  To enter your hobby income:

 

  • Once in your tax return, click on Federal Taxes tab
  • Choose Wages and Income
  • Scroll down to Less Common Income and click Start to right of Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C
  • Click Start to right of Hobby income and expenses**

If you received a 1099-K for hobby income, click this link.

 

**As a hobby, you are not allowed any deductions from this income for the years 2018-2025.  The IRS doesn't allow you to deduct hobby expenses from hobby income, you must claim all hobby income and are not permitted to reduce that income by any expenses.

 

4 Tax Tips for Money Making Hobbies

 

Tax Tips for Content Creators

 

Keep records if your hobby becomes more of a business than a recreational pursuit.  Business owners typically use Schedule C to report profits and losses and to deduct a broad range of deductions not available to hobbyists. The IRS might consider your hobby a business when any or all of the following apply:

 

  • The things you do to run your hobby-business, like hiring knowledgeable employees and advertising, point to your intent to make a profit.
  • You earn your livelihood from the hobby.
  • You've made a profit for at least three of the past five years.
  • You hope to make a profit from some of your business assets down the road, like animals for breeding.
  • You've made a profit from a similar business in the past.

Because the responsibility is on you to show that your hobby-business is entitled to business tax breaks, keeping detailed records will come in handy in case the IRS asks you to substantiate that you have a business rather than a hobby.

 

 

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"

Where to report income from subscriptions to my Substack newsletter

Thank you , @DawnC , for the excellent answer! I appreciate your time and expertise.

 

GE

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